Selkirk College Receives Funding to Assist Unemployed

Selkirk College is one of 20 colleges and universities in BC that will share an investment of 5.2 million dollars from the provincial government towards skills training for the unemployed.
 
"We are very happy about the funding," said Vi Kalesnikoff, Dean of Community, Corporate and International Development. "It will give us the ability to support a number of individuals in making significant changes in their lives."
 
The Employment Skills Access (ESA) Program, funded through the Canada/BC Labour Market Agreement, is designed to help unemployed British Columbians acquire the skills they need to transition back to the labour force or into further education. At Selkirk College, the ESA funding will assist unemployed individuals in our communities to develop Individual Action Plans to acquire the essential skills or recognized credentials allowing them to reach their full potential in the current marketplace.
 
"This funding is important because it allows us to help our community members gain the necessary skills and training that will help move them towards fulfilling work,” said Kalesnikoff. “Participants can draw on Selkirk’s wide range of programs to support their education and career goals.”

The ESA Program is open to people who are currently unemployed and who are non-Employment Insurance clients. It is especially relevant for individuals who face financial and training-related barriers. The ESA Program will help close the skills gap for many individuals who are struggling to enter (or re-enter) the job market without the skills and credentials they need to get ahead.
 
For more information on the opportunities available through the ESA Program at Selkirk College, please contact Selkirk College’s ESA Counsellor, Tami O'Meara, at (250) 364-5760 or email esa@selkirk.ca.

First published on December 07, 2009